How To Keep Yellow Jackets Away In Jerome

Identifying Yellow Jackets And Their Nests

With a yellow and black face and patterned abdomen, yellow jackets are easily recognized. They are social insects and live-in nests or colonies that can have up to 4,000 workers. Yellow jackets prefer urbanized, suburban, and rural areas; and are always looking for a warm place to live. Their colonies reach the peak and get extremely active by late summer and early autumn. This is when yellow jackets typically become a nuisance to property owners because they are on the hunt for sweets and proteins.

Beyond their coloring, some things to be on the lookout for to identify yellow jackets include:

• Workers measure about ½” long.
• Their bodies are smooth with a slender narrowing at the abdomen and thorax.
• They have two translucent wings and a spear-like stinger.
• Nests can be underground or aerial and are made from chewed cellulose and have a paper-like appearance.

Because of their aggressive nature, if you see evidence of yellow jackets on your property you'll want to take steps to deter them from sticking around.

One of the challenging aspects of yellow jackets is that they build their nest in so many different types of locations. Nest can be found underground, in trees and bushes, in sheds, under eaves, or the cavities inside walls.

The Dangers Of Yellow Jackets

Because yellow jackets pollinate, a few of them flying about is not a bad thing, but yellow jacket nests can pose a serious problem for property owners. Underground nests are especially frightening. Everyday jobs such as trimming and mowing can give off vibrations and sounds (even far away from the nest) that can agitate these stinging insects. Normally slow to sting, yellow jackets are ferocious and can swarm when their nest is disturbed.

Yellow jackets inject a painful venom when they sting. Unlike bees, they have a smooth stinger and can sting repeatedly. Therefore, disturbing a nest is a dangerous proposition. Many people are allergic to the venom of a yellow jacket but even those who are not can find themselves in an emergency situation with enough repeated stings.

How To Prevent Yellow Jackets On Your Jerome Property

There are multiple prevention techniques property owners can take to deter yellow jackets and other stinging pests from visiting and living around their property.

Some of the best prevention tips include:

• Avoid overwatering and overplanting your property.
• Remove areas that would be tempting to caterpillars, flies, and spiders as these will attract yellow jackets.
• Use trash cans with tight-fitting lids.
• Plant flowers that are less attractive to yellow jackets.
• Keep fruit trees well away from dwellings or other structures on your property.
• When outdoors, keep sugary drinks and sweets covered.
• Repair cracks or open areas around your property that invite yellow jackets to nest.
• Remove debris from the yard that yellow jackets could use for a nest.

Prevention is always the best solution to a pest problem but if yellow jackets have already made their home on your property it's time to think about other solutions.

Owyhee Environmental Can Tackle Jerome Yellow Jackets

It is never a good idea to tackle a yellow jacket nest that is either above or underground on your own. Nests pose a danger to people and pets which makes removing necessary especially when it is fully active. The pest professionals at Owyhee Environmental can provide property owners with services that can safely remove these nuisance pests. Same-day emergency services are available when yellow jacket problems pop up. Contact Owyhee Environmental today to learn how to safely eradicate these dangerous pests.